Grave-filler.



No. 707,503. Patented Au I9, 1902.- u. H. DEEBING.-

GRAVE FILLER.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 19013 (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

I P. -L M No. 707,503. Patented Aug. l9, I902.

u. H. DEEBING. GRAVE FILLER.

- (Application filed Dec. 24, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 SheetF-Sheet 2.

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turn 1? l Srrns ATENT OFFICE.

URIAII H. DEERING, OF CLEBURNE, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JACOB D. OLIGER, OF CLEBURNE, TEXAS.

GRAVE-FILLER.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,503, dated August 19, 1902.

Application filed December 24, 1901- Serial No. 87,089. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, URIAH H. DEERING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oleburne, in the county of Johnson and State of Texas, have invented a certain new and useful Grave-Filler, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to grave-fillers, the object in view being to provide a simple, reliable, and efficient machine adapted to be moved from place to place and to receive the dirt or earth from the grave as it is dug, the machine being subsequently operable for the purpose of dumping the dirt or earth into the grave, and thereby filling the same without the usual slow and tedious hand-shovel process.

It is a further object of the invention to render the machine adjustable or extensible,

so that the delivery or discharge end thereof may be adjusted to a position immediately over or in proper relation to the grave, thereby insuring the proper discharge and delivery of the dirt or earth into the grave. The machine is equipped with suitable hand-operated mechanism by means of which the extension-frame may be properly adjusted and positioned and in addition thereto the rollerplatform operated either for dumping the earth or retracting the platform to the position in which it is in readiness to receive the dirt or earth.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a grave-filler constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the extension-frame projected in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the machine, showing the extension-frame projected in dotted lines, so as to overhang the grave. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the machine.

Like reference numerals designate like parts in all the figures. 5

Referring to the drawi; gs, 1 and 2 designate a pair of axles provided with carryingwheels 3 and forming the support for a suitable truck-frame, which is shown to comprise longitudinal side sills 4, intermediate longitudinal bars 5, and endcross-bars 6. One of the axles, as 2, may be rigidly connected to the truck-frame, while the other axle 1 is preferably connected, by ineansof a kingbolt 7, to a bolster 8 to facilitate turning and guiding the truck in moving the same to and from the place of operation. It is also intended to provide the machine with suitable draft appliances, consisting either of a pole or shaft, so that a draft-animal may be hitched thereto.

In carrying out the present invention series of antifriction supporting-rollers 9 are mounted between the longitudinal bars 4 and 5 of the truck-frame, as clearly shown in Figs. 3and 4, said rollers being designed to support a movable extension-frame, consisting of Iongitudinal side bars 10, intermediate longitudinal bars 11, and end cross bars or sills 12. The bars 10 rest and travel directly on the rollers 9, so that the extension-frame may be adjusted upon and independently of the truck.

The means for adjusting the extensionframecomprises a winding-shaft or Windlass 13, suitably journaled in the truck-frame and provided at one end with an operating handcrank 14, whereby the operator is enabled to project or retract the extension-frame while standing at one side of the machine. In connection with said shaft two adjusting chains or cables are employed. One of these chains or cables 15 is fastened to and wrapped around the shaft 13 and extends from thence to one of the end sills of the extension-frame, to which it is connected by means of a suitable fastener or keeper 16. The other chain or cable 17 is fastened to the shaft 13 and wrapped in a reverse direction around said shaft, extending from thence around a direction-pulley 1S, journaled and supported in a bracket 19, connected to the truck-frame, the said chain or cable 17 being finally connected by means of the keeper or fastener 16 to the same end sill of the extension-frame, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. It will now be seen that by turning the adj usting-crank 14 in one direction the extension-frame will be projected, as indicated by the dotted-line position of Figs. 1 and 3, or retracted, as indicated by the full-line position of said figures. By this means the delivery or discharge end of the extension-frame may be adjusted to a position directly over the grave, as illustrated in Fig. 3. In the same way the extension-frame may be retracted or adjusted to any desired position for receiving the dirt or earth during the operation of digging the grave.

Series of antifriction supporting-rollers 20 are journaled between the longitudinal bars 10 and 11 of the extension-frame and constitute asupport for a roller-platform 21. This platform is flexible, being composed of a series of slats 22, flexibly connected by hinges 23 or their equivalent, so that a portion of the platform may be temporarily housed or carried beneath the supporting rollers upon which it travels. At one end the roller-platform is provided with aheadboard 24:, which travels with the platform and serves to push the dirt or earth ahead of it and cause the latter to be deposited in the grave. The roller platform moves between a pair of detachable extension side-boards 25, provided with stanchions 26, which are removably fitted in sockets provided thereforin the extension-frame. The side-boards serve to confine the earth upon the roller-platform and are braced and prevented from sagging or bulging outward by means of a pair of yoke-braces 27, each of which is U-shaped, as shown in Fig. 2, comprising the pendent terminal portions 28, which extend downward upon the outer sides of the boards 25 and lie close to the stanchions 26, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. One of said yoke-braces 27 also acts in connection with one or more stops 29 on the headboard 24 to limit the movement of said headboard in one direction, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

The means for operating the roller-platform comprises a Winding-shaft or Windlass 30, provided at one end with an operating hand-crank 31, so that the operator may manipulate the roller-platform while standing at one side of the machine. The rollerplatform at the delivery end of the machine passes around a pair of guide rollers or pulleys 32 and is held closely against said pulleys by means of a stretching-cable 33, which connects at 34 to one end of the roller-platform and passes from thence lengthwise of the machine around a guide-pulley 35 at the opposite end of the machine and is finally connected to the opposite end of the rollerplatform, as shown at 36. An operating chain or cable 37 is fastened at one end to the shaft 30, around which it is Wrapped and from which itextends to the inner end of the roller-platform, Where it is connected to the bottom of the headboard 24, as shown in Fig. 3. Another chain or cable 38 is fasten ed to the shaft 30 and wrapped in a reverse direction thereon, extending from thence lengthwise beneath the extension-frame and beneath one of the end sills 12, around a pulley on said sill, and connecting to the lower edge of the headboard at the point 36. By means of the arrangement described the rotation of the shaft 30 in one direction will cause the rollerplatform to be moved outward toward the grave for dumping the earth therein, while the rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction will cause a retraction of the platform. Preparatory to depositing the dirt or earth upon the roller-platform the slats of said platform are covered by means of a sheet 39, which will prevent the earth from Working between the adjacent edges of the slats and interfering with the operation of the machine.

It is frequently necessary or advantageous to support the discharge end of the machine in an elevated position, which may be readily accomplished with the aid of checks or supporting-blocks 4.0 of any suitable description.

Supporting-legs 42 are pivotally connected with the extension-frame, said legs being adapted to support said frame when extended and being further adapted to fold alongside the extension-frame when the latter is retracted, as shown by the full-line position in Fi 1.

from the foregoing description it will be seen that the Wheeled truck may be readily moved from place to place, and after being positioned adjacent to a grave or the place where the grave is to be dug the extensionframe may be adjusted to suit requirements, and the roller-platform may be operated at the required time for the purpose of dumping or discharging the earth or dirt into the grave. The stretching cable or chain 33 keeps the roller-platform taut at all times, and where necessary the truck-frame may be provided along its upper portion with cleats or keepers 41, projecting inward far enough to overhang the extension-frame and prevent the latter from tilting or becoming displaced with relation to the truck-frame. A suitable cover or tarpaulin may be thrown over the machine in bad weather to shield the operative parts of the machine and the dirt or earth deposited thereon.

I do not desire to be limited to the details of construction and arrangement hereinabove specifically set forth and accordingly reserve the right to change, modify, or vary the construction Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon and having its discharge end located outside of the plane of the truck-wheels, and means for operating said platform, substantially as described.

2. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon,

IIO

a headboard at or near one end of said platform, and means for operating said platform, substantially as described.

3. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon, supporting-rollers beneath said platform, and means for operating the platform, substantially as described.

4:. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of an extension-frame, means for adjusting said extension-frame, and a rollerplatform mounted on the extension-frame, substantially as described.

5. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon, and means for operating said platform consisting of a winding-shaft, and flexible connections between said winding-shaft and the roller-platform, substantially as described.

6. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon, a stretching-cable connecting the opposite ends of said roller-platform, and means for operating said platform, substantially as described.

7. In a grave-filler, the combination'with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon, a stretching cable or chain connecting the opposite ends of the platform, rollers around which the platform travels, and platform-operating means consisting of a winding-shaft, and flexible connections interposed between said shaft and the platform, substantially as described.

8. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a slatted and flexible roller-platform mounted thereon, means for operating said platform, supporting rollers located beneath the platform, and a covering-sheet for said platform, substantially as described.

9. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of a roller-platform mounted thereon, means for operating said platform, and sideboards between which the platform operates, substantially as described.

10. In a grave-filler, the combination with atruck, of aroller-platform mounted thereon, means for operating said platform, extension side-boards between which the platform is located, and yoke-braces detachably associated with said extension -boards, substantially as described.

11. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of antifriction rollers journaled therein, an extension-frame supported on said rollers, and means for adjusting the extension-frame, substantially as described.

12. In a grave-filler, the combination with a truck, of antifriction rollers journaled therein, an extension-frame supported on said rollers, means for adjusting said extensionframe, antifriction-rollers journaled in the extension-frame, a roller-platform supported on the last-named rollers, and means for operating said platform, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

URIAH H. DEERING.

Witnesses:

F. P. Wnsr, W. K. WILLIAMSON. 

